If you find someone that will let you supply the materials and work for labor only and sign a contract you supplied , you have hired an employee , a laborer , not a contractor .

Tax benefits should be considered but not be the sole factor.The 'main benefit' from a tax perspective should be to generate a high return from your real estate investments and not to pay taxes on the return that you get.If you are able to reduce your taxable income, that should be icing on the cake.

Increase earnings, reduce expenses, save up, and invest.

The penalty can be reduced, but there's a fee (or you take a higher interest rate). 

Points, often referred to as discount points, are upfront fees paid directly to the lender at closing in exchange for a reduced interest rate on your mortgage.In a hard money loan, closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount, similar to traditional loans.

Ton's of people with golden shackles of sub 3% rates, epic net shortage, skilled labor shortage, on and on. 

Activities like tenant management, marketing, bookkeeping, inspections, overseeing contractors, and compliance tasks all count.Avoid outsourcing tasks, as this reduces eligible hours, and consider adding properties if meeting the threshold is challenging.

Not only low-flow, the flushing mechanism reduces the likelihood of clogs.  

So while moving back into it for 2 years does bring the 121 exclusion back into play, that exclusion is reduced based on the percentage of Non Qualified usage over the holding period.  

A strong team can streamline processes and reduce headaches.Expand Knowledge: Podcasts and forums like BiggerPockets are great tools.